FC Dallas Select U-11 soccer

When Ryder arrived home tonight and saw his FCD backpack, organized it, tried on all of his gear? It hit me. We're Select. We did it. We didn't talk about it then bail. We're all official.

And I did it w/o financial help from his father or from my parents. Me and Ryder? We did this together. I am proud of us.

Too many words for Twitter

"And that's part of Dad's deal: If he's going to give you money, you're going to listen to all his suggestions about what to do with your life. That's probably every parent's deal. It's why you stand on your own two feet ..." - David Sedaris

Stories unfold

My son is changing, developing, maturing.

I pulled out photo albums in search of pics yesterday, Mother's Day. He flipped through also. Later he had a little meltdown about divorce and why everyone in our family hates each other. His sky was falling. I easily recognized and empathized.

His parents have been divorced longer than he can remember but he is maturing and just now seems to be feeling impact.

I need to write more on this later.

Parenthood

ME: "This was in R's school writing journal."

T-Girl: "Awesome. Very sweet."

ME: "I've yet to see one about his father. Have to brace myself for when that happens in the future."

T-Girl (whose son is two years older): "Here's what it looks like.

Mom vs. Dad ..."

Another soccer update

Jedi won this a.m. Opponents scored first. R equalized with a PK, and it was 1/1 at half.

W scored our second goal, then R scored two more (hat trick!).

Opponents came back to score two more goals, but we won with a final of 4/3.

Sporting FC match followed ... was nil/nil at half. Sporting won with two goals in the second half. Second one was R's - just before final whistle. He was happy.

2/nil final.

Both teams undefeated so far for Spring. Five matches between two teams over next eight days.

Love to watch my boy play.

Thieving

I always sked ortho appts on 1st, 3rd, 5th Thursdays, to buy myself time, steal moments.

A single parent thinks this way.

After appt today? Bluebonnets and slushies before heading back to school and work. Grateful.

Spring soccer: An update

Yes, we had a Sporting (Fire) match at 7:15 last night. It was a great game ... we led with the first goal, then they equalized and it was 1:1 at half.

FC Dallas took the lead 2/1, then we equalized, then they took the lead 3/2, we equalized ... then they again took the lead 4/3, we equalized ... and finally won 5/4. It was great to see the boys apply the pressure to win and not just give up (they could have). Both of my folks were there, and I'm glad my dad got to see a competitive match.

The Sporting team continues to see turnover, with core folks like Greyson leaving, etc., but they have actually looked great lately. I'm curious to see what becomes of this team ... if they really go Select or if it falls apart. I'm staying close to the Warners on this trying to determine direction, etc. Everyone loves Adam (including Ryder), so that's a good thing. But we are short players - no subs last night, one sub today - and I don't believe everyone on the team will show up when it comes time to cough up $$$ for Select (the "shit or get off the pot" moment is coming). I just want to ensure I have a back-up plan and that I'm not blind-sided or left in the dark. I had a good convo with the Warners this eve, and they assured me that I won't be caught off-guard. Going with faith.

Anyway, I digress ... Ryder scored one goal last night and assisted a goal, as well.

We had to be at our match today at 7:30 a.m. for 8 a.m. start. We beat Highland Park Scots 3/nil. The shut-out was nice b/c our opponents looked strong ... either team could have won it, but we just dominated. Ryder scored the third goal of the match. Should be an interesting season for Sporting.

So the eight-game Jedi spring season looks something like: two games in Feb., ZERO in March b/c of rain, and six matches in 11 days in April b/c of make-ups. Is this a season or a tournament? Really.

It's going to be hectic. I'm a little perturbed w/mother nature's havoc on our schedule, but it is what it is.

Both teams are undefeated so far this season, but there's ground to make in a short period of time over the next few weeks.

And there is your play-by-play of Ryder soccer.

Thanks for asking.